Mobile application gateway for connecting devices on a cellular network with individual enterprise and data networks

ABSTRACT

A mobile application gateway for connecting devices on a cellular network with individual networks, such as enterprise voice and data networks and/or residential networks. The effects of the present invention are far reaching in terms of transferring effective call control from the cellular network into the control of the individual network such as the enterprise, and enabling new business models for the purchase of cellular service from a public cellular carrier by an enterprise. The invention may consist of a primarily of core network and services components based on the IMS network architecture, and is backward compatible to support legacy systems in place in current telecom and data networks.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority of and is a continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 11/509,222, entitled “MOBILE APPLICATION GATEWAY FOR CONNECTINGDEVICES ON A CELLULAR NETWORK WITH INDIVIDUAL ENTERPRISE AND DATANETWORKS” filed Aug. 24, 2006, which claim priority of U.S. ProvisionalSer. No. 60/778,252, entitled “MOBILE APPLICATION GATEWAY FOR CONNECTINGDEVICES ON A CELLULAR NETWORK WITH INDIVIDUAL ENTERPRISE AND DATANETWORKS” filed Mar. 2, 2006; U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/778,276,entitled “CALL FLOW SYSTEM AND METHOD USE IN LEGACY TELECOMMUNICATIONSYSTEM” filed Mar. 2, 2006; U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/778,443,entitled “CALL FLOW SYSTEM AND METHOD USE IN VOIP TELECOMMUNICATIONSYSTEM” filed Mar. 2, 2006; and U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/797,724,entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXECUTING ORIGINATING SERVICES IN ATERMINATING NETWORK FOR IMS AND NON-IMS APPLICATIONS” filed May 4, 2006,each of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Cross reference is made to the following commonly assigned U.S. patentapplications: U.S. Ser. No. 11/588,027, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FORENABLING CALL ORIGINATIONS USING SMS AND HOTLINE CAPABILITIES” filedOct. 26, 2006, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,890,096; U.S. Ser. No.11/509,186, entitled “CALL FLOW SYSTEM AND METHOD USE IN LEGACYTELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM” filed Aug. 24, 2006, now issued U.S. Pat. No.7,843,901; U.S. Ser. No. 11/509,260, entitled “CALL FLOW SYSTEM ANDMETHOD USE IN VOIP TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM” filed Aug. 24, 2006; U.S.Ser. No. 11/509,200, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXECUTINGORIGINATING SERVICES IN A TERMINATING NETWORK FOR IMS AND NON-IMSAPPLICATIONS” filed Aug. 24, 2006; U.S. Ser. No. 11/509,450, entitled“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING MULTI-LINE MOBILE TELEPHONE SERVICECAPABILITIES ON A SINGLE-LINE MOBILE TELEPHONE” filed Aug. 24, 2006;U.S. Ser. No. 11/509,372, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING DTMFDETECTION IN A COIP NETWORK” filed Aug. 24, 2006, each of which ishereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telecommunications, and moreparticularly telecommunications including enterprise servers, wirelesscommunications, and the interoperability of communication technologies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Corporations are increasingly relying on the use of cellular technologyby their employees. Yet enterprises do not have adequate means tocontrol cellular service, in terms of costs, Quality of Service, andcorporate monitoring. This is because cellular service is independentlymanaged and controlled by wireless carrier networks with no connectivityto the enterprise voice and data networks, as shown in FIG. 1.

Enterprises today control their enterprise fixed voice and datanetworks, as is shown on the left of the diagram. They own and managetheir own PBXs, within each branch, and between branch offices. Theyalso own and manage their own data networks and corporate LAN/WAN. Theypurchase bulk voice minutes and data capacity from land line carriers,or from other providers that have purchased bulk minutes and datacapacity from carriers, to connect branch offices, using public IPNetwork providers (e.g. MCI, Sprint, L3, etc.) for Data and Voice overIP (VoIP).

With this invention, the enterprise is able to equally extend thisparadigm to cellular service by connecting the public wireless voice anddata network (on the right side of the diagram) into the enterprise.This is shown in FIG. 2. The gateway server inter-connects the carrier'sMobile Switching Center (MSC) that manages cellular voice traffic aswell as the carrier's Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) that managecellular data traffic, with the enterprise's voice and data network.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention achieves technical advantages as a mobile applicationgateway for connecting devices on a cellular network with individualnetworks, such as enterprise voice and data networks and/or residentialnetworks. The effects of the present invention are far reaching in termsof transferring effective call control from the cellular network intothe control of the individual network such as the enterprise, andenabling new business models for the purchase of cellular service from apublic cellular carrier by an enterprise. The invention may consist of aprimarily of core network and services components based on the IMSnetwork architecture, and is backward compatible to support legacysystems in place in current telecom and data networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an independently managed and controlledwireless carrier network, and an independently managed corporateenterprise network;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a conventional network with an enterprise networkgateway server, according to the invention, connected to a wirelesscarrier network;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a gateway server system accordingly to onepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a diagram of an enterprise data and voice network operablyconnected using the gateway server system using pure enterprise callcontrol according to one preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a diagram of an enterprise data and voice network operablyconnected using the gateway server system using split call controlaccording to one preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 depicts a network architecture according to another preferredembodiment using VoIP systems;

FIG. 6 is a call flow diagram for call origination according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a call flow diagram for effecting call delivery using VoIPsystem according to another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a call flow diagram for effecting mobile termination usingVoIP according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a network architecture for a Legacy (TDM) networkaccording to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a next generation IMS architecture that isbackwards compatible with legacy cellular networks based on existingcellular protocols;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a conventional legacy network architecture thatdoes not support IM;

FIG. 12 depicts a Packet Engine according to another preferredembodiment of the present invention allowing a call server to detectDTMF digit events on the call path;

FIG. 13 depicts one embodiment of the Packet Engine consisting of a userspace;

FIG. 14 depicts a Linux kernel module of the Packet Engine;

FIG. 15 depicts the current IMS standard definition;

FIG. 16 depicts one exemplary embodiment of the invention for IMSservice;

FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 depict a gateway server carrier (GS-C) configured asan IMS standard-compliant SIP, and associated algorithm; and

FIG. 19 depicts an algorithm for receiving incoming calls on variouslines that are to be directed to a subscribers mobile phone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Effectively in one preferred embodiment of the invention, a gatewaymobile server is provided that runs a turnkey cellular system that doesnot include any radio network components. The gateway mobile server isappropriately scaled down to the smaller subscriber base of a largeenterprise, compared with that of a public carrier. The gateway mobileserver advantageously supports call routing between a legacy, hybrid orIP-PBX, and the public cellular network in support of theenterprise/virtual operator business model.

This solution ultimately enables enterprises to change the way theypurchase cellular service from cellular operators by enablingenterprises to effectively become a Mobile Virtual Network Operator(MVNO) for their own employees, and ultimately even sell cellularservice external to the enterprises corporation. Thus, the enterprise isable to purchase discount bulk rate cellular minutes of use from apublic cellular carrier, and “resell” them internally to their costcenters, or externally to other entities. The solution effectivelyenables the enterprise to “plug-in” cellular service akin to how localand long distance are connected to the enterprise's PBX. The result isthat enterprises can consume minutes of use from public cellularcarriers and pay for those minutes at the end of a time period, forexample at the end of the month. A single relationship can exist betweenthe cellular carrier and the enterprise, rather than multiple individualsubscriptions between the carrier and enterprise employees (where thecarrier is forced to treat them as ordinary consumers). This embodimentof the invention also facilitates the situation in which a singleservice provider can provide local, long distance, cellular and internetservice to an enterprise. Ultimately the enterprise can become its ownservice provider with its own Home Location Register (HLR) and HomeSubscriber Server (HSS) operating on and interconnected with the publicnetworks. Thus, employees making/receiving voice calls and data sessionscan be roaming on cellular carrier networks, which will charge theenterprise based on their usage.

The voice gateway component in this embodiment of the inventioncomprises a hybrid gateway router, combining the traditional routingfunctionalities of a Wireless Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC)with the admission control and routing functionalities of an IMS SIPApplication Server proxy and/or H.323 gatekeeper in addition tofunctionality for call management and control in the enterprise spacebased on SIP and/or H.323.

All signaling is transported over IP instead of SS7 where possible usingprotocols, such as SIGTRAN. In cases where IP signaling is notavailable, SS7 may be required to connect with the public cellular andcarrier networks. In addition, the invention supports functionality nottraditionally associated with a Wireless GMSC. This includes support for3GPP/2 SIP and/or H.323.

The present invention provides support for 3GPP/2 SIP, GSM MAP, CAP,ANSI-41/WIN and AIN protocols, converts between them and maps toindividual SIP network elements in the enterprise network. Support forsignaling is via SIGTRAN with high reliability over IP connectionsinstead of traditional and expensive SS7 links.

Various embodiments of the invention provide technical advantagesincluding:

Interconnection algorithms between carrier network telecom protocols andspecific enterprise PBX services platforms, including enhancements tostandard cellular network nodes including GMSC, SCP, GGSN:

Nodal Inter-Connection Algorithms

Various Configurations

Enterprise-Hosted, Enterprise Managed:

The solution is hosted entirely within the enterprise and controlled bythe enterprise

Enterprise-Hosted, Shared Management:

The solution is hosted entirely within the enterprise and controlled byboth the enterprise and remotely by the carrier

Enterprise Hosted, Carrier Managed:

The solution is hosted entirely within the enterprise and controlledremotely by the carrier

Carrier-Hosted, Enterprise Managed:

The solution is hosted at the carrier site and controlled remotely bythe enterprise

Carrier-Hosted, Shared Management:

The solution is hosted at the carrier and controlled by both theenterprise and remotely by the carrier

Carrier-Hosted, Carrier Managed:

The solution is hosted at the carrier site and controlled by the carrier

Shared-Hosted, Shared Management:

A component of the solution is hosted, managed and controlled at thecarrier site, and a component of the solution is hosted, managed andcontrolled at the enterprise site.

Routing of dialed digits from carrier network to enterprise systemwithout modifying carrier software, using existing intelligent networkand/or IMS signaling and data messaging techniques.

Method for reducing/eliminating of PSTN interconnect charges betweencarrier and enterprise, enabling:

Low cost mobile-to-mobile calls even when served by different carriers

This may be achieved by routing the calls from the carrier network intothe enterprise using VoIP technology, and thus bypassing the PSTNnetwork

Low cost mobile to IP voice client calls (mobile to PC client, Skype,etc.)

Methods for increasing enterprise-grade availability via a cellularinterconnection gateway:

Methods for maintaining enterprise call handling capabilities whenindividual enterprise network nodes fail

For example, when a call is originated from the cellular network and itscontrol messages are sent to the gateway server for processing, if thegateway server detects that the PBX system is not available or out ofservice, the gateway server can instruct the cellular network to routethe call directly. The gateway server may modify the digits ifnecessary. The cost of the call may be higher than if routed through thePBX, however the call will nevertheless be connected. Once the PBXbecomes available, the gateway server can direct subsequent callsthrough the enterprise network.

Enterprise MVNO Business Framework

Enabling large enterprises to become cellular service providers fortheir employees

Spinoff business opportunities for sale of cellular voice/data servicesPBX evolution for wireless interconnection

MVNO Infrastructure

Framework, methodology and mechanisms for increasing MVNO value-chainservice capabilities

Framework to enable MVNOs to support own core network switching andservices through an existing carrier's wireless access infrastructure

Integrated Services Capabilities Framework

Enabling improved integration and customization of enterpriseapplications on public carrier networks

Framework enables the migration of business solutions to customizedenterprise environment, away from generic carrier offerings usingenterprise information systems not available to carrier networks, e.g.

Local Presence & Availability Information

Enterprise Badging and Security Systems

For example, with the call control managed out of the enterprise ratherthan the cellular network, the enterprise can connect disparate systemsto enforce policy controls such as disabling an employee's cellularphone when they badge out of the office for the evening, or changing thecharging codes such that the employee will be charged for calls madeafter they have badged out of the office for the evening, or limitingthe employee to 250 minutes of personal phone calls after badging outfor the evening, or restricting international calling, or enablinginternational calling to a single country such as the country of one'sfamily, etc.

Intelligent Least Cost Routing Techniques

Algorithms for enabling intelligent Tail-end Hop-off of calls and datasessions within the enterprise's network

Including methodology for inter-office (e.g. international) call routingwhen local PBX is out of service

Tail-end hop-off enables a call from one country to another country tobe routed over a least-cost network to a connection point in thedestination country, from which a local call is established andconnected with the international least-cost route. The result is alower-cost call to the destination.

Data Session Management

Similar to the ability to route voice calls into the enterprise whichare then subject to enterprise voice policy, the invention describes themethodology and support for the routing of data sessions from the publicnetwork directly into the enterprise. By including a GGSN functionwithin the enterprise and connected with the cellular carrier's SGSN, asecure tunnel can be established between the carrier and the enterprisenetworks. The GGSN component can be split among two components of theGateway Server: One component located in the carrier network (within theGS-C), and a second component located in the enterprise (within theGS-E). Similarly this can be achieved with a Home Agent function locatedwithin the enterprise and connected with the carrier's Foreign Agent forCDMA networks. As such, the invention:

Eliminates the need for VPN software to be launched on the mobile device

Subjects the mobile device to enterprise data policy including securityand firewalls no matter where the device is located, and without theneed for user interaction—all data sessions are routed through theenterprise's corporate network and firewalls

Enables software applications to be embedded in wireless devices thatcan be launched remotely to, for example, destroy data on the deviceshould the unit be lost or stolen—e.g. Poison Pills

The present invention in one embodiment includes a software/serversystem that advantageously provides a cost effective and transparentmeans to connect enterprise employees' cellular phones to theircorporation's PBX. The solution provides corporations with the abilityto achieve, with regular single-mode mobile phones used by employeeswithout requiring any special dialing sequences, the same PBX basedbenefits now provided for fixed office landline phones. The solutioncreates a multi-dimensional paradigm shift in the enterprisetelecommunications market that is expected to change the way enterprisespurchase and integrate cellular service with their PBX as well as theway carriers compete for all phone services to the enterprise.

The solution provides a unique product and business concept that ishighly strategic for enterprise customers and channel distributionpartners. Mobile operators have the opportunity to benefit fromenterprises' need for operational control, efficiency and flexibility.The solution drives competitive advantage, higher market share andincreased revenues for network operators by extending the cellularnetwork and its call control into the enterprise.

One implication of moving the call control into the enterprise is thatthe invention enables the enterprise to control theircommunications—enabling the enterprise to track, monitor and even recordvoice conversations that occur on public carrier networks. Theenterprise will be able to enforce policy-based call routing foremployees making and receiving calls on public cellular networks. Thismeans they can allow/prevent calls based on specific criteria such asdestinations, time of day, external stimuli (e.g. active employeebadge), other circumstances. As a result, corporations submitting tocontrol-procedure legislations such as Sarbanes-Oxley will now have theability to manage and control cellular communications in line with theirlandline (PBX) and data networks (e.g. e-mail traffic).

The gateway server transparently extends the cellular network directlyto the PBX in the enterprise, ultimately enabling the enterprise toequally ‘plug’ cellular service into their PBX from a choice ofproviders, alongside their local and long distance landline service. Inthe enterprise, the server according to one aspect of the presentinvention is a mobility gateway that enables the enterprise to manageits own cellular services and costs as well as to deploy customizedmobility solutions to bridge their internal business applications andprocesses with mobile devices. The architecture addresses the extensionof the PBX control over both cellular voice and data systems, inaddition to the current PBX control over land line voice. The approachof the present invention is a networking solution versus adevice-centric solution, and does not require the enterprise to deployand manage complex RF (radio frequency) components or purchasespecialized mobile devices.

For the enterprise, the solution enables them to manage and controltheir cellular services & costs by routing all employees' cellular voiceand data calls through their corporate PBX network, while simultaneouslyenabling them to deploy customized and secure mobility solutionsintegrated with their internal IT systems. For the mobile operator, thesolution enables them to capture market share, grow revenues, reduceoperational expenses and reduce churn in the highly profitableenterprise segment.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a gateway server at 10 accordingto one preferred embodiment of the invention.

The Gateway Server:

Enables the enterprise to manage and control its cellular service.

Enables the enterprise to achieve significant overall cost reductionsfor telecommunications.

Includes an overall platform and architecture for improved andintegrated wireless enterprise solutions.

Drives convergence between the enterprise's cellular and Voice over IP(Internet Protocol) infrastructure.

The gateway server 10 leverages the benefits of Voice over IP withcellular to extend the cellular network into the enterprise. The gatewayserver 10 addresses both cellular voice and data, and is a networkingsolution that works together with the enterprise's existing PBX,performing mobile call control functions (routing and services).

Additionally, the gateway server 10:

Bridges the enterprise PBX and public cellular environments to enabletelecom applications for the cellular user, such as short-code dialing(e.g. 4 and 5-digit dialing), one number service (one phone number forthe desktop and cellular phone), single voice mail box.

Enables the enterprise to leverage their existing telecom assets forcellular use (e.g., least-cost routing over corporation's VoIP orleased-lines network for discounted long distance; use of existing PBXvoicemail system).

Is an application platform for deploying mobile IT applications. Eitherthe enterprise IT department or a Systems Integrator can develop andintegrate specific applications to interface with the corporation'scellular devices.

For example, the enterprise can choose to replace the deskphone of anoffice employee with an inexpensive mobile phone. For this employee,when they ‘badge-out’ of the building at the end of the day, theenterprise security badging system can be used to inform the gatewayserver to de-activate the mobile phone, until the employee returns tothe office and ‘badges-in’ the next morning. Alternatively, the gatewayserver can track and record the calls made outside the office hours, andenable the enterprise to charge them to the business, to the employee,or record them as a corporate benefit.

Provides a single control point for the IT organization to monitor andcontrol cellular usage and services—all cellular calls can be trackedand recorded in the enterprise's PBX system.

The gateway server may be software-only solution that can execute onstandard, inexpensive Linux platforms. The gateway server may consist ofa mobile core network (for call handling and routing) and servicesnetwork (voice and data services such as PBX-based short code dialing,voicemail, conference calling, VPN, etc.) components. It may beappropriately scaled down to the smaller subscriber base of adecentralized large enterprise, in the order of hundreds to severalthousand subscribers, compared with carrier systems that manage manymillions of “centralized” subscribers. The gateway server is designed tobe managed and maintained by the same IT group that currently managesthe enterprise's PBX system.

The gateway server in some aspects is a cellular system which does notrequire or include any radio frequency network components—which arehighly complicated and expensive to deploy and manage. Campus radionetworks, whether cellular, Wi-Fi or other, require highly skilled anddedicated resources to maintain and ensure network stability for theenterprise's critical voice and data communications, whilesimultaneously managing their spatial coexistence with live publiccarrier radio networks overlapping the enterprise campus.

Instead, the invention includes a method for combining the technologyfor enabling enterprises to integrate its call control and services witha proven business model (MVNOs) that further enables the enterprise tonegotiate with carriers for a reasonable discounted price to use thecarrier's professional nationwide cellular network. To the carrier, thismaintains large numbers of high-value enterprise customers locked in ontheir networks, while reducing their costs of acquiring and maintainingindividual subscribers.

One network architecture implementing an aspect of the present inventionis shown in FIG. 4. From an IT organization perspective, the gatewayserver 10 appears as an extension to the PBX. To the cellular network,the gateway server 10 appears as a standard in-network endpoint fordelivering calls. To the enterprise PBX, the gateway server 10 appearsas a set of standard PBX endpoints (e.g. deskphones, or IP clients). Thegateway server 10 mediates between the two disparate sets of networkprotocols and state machines.

The gateway server 10 includes the network functions for both voice(gateway MSC) and data (gateway GPRS Support Node or Home Agent), VoIPcapability for interconnecting the mobile network with the enterprisethereby eliminating PSTN interconnect charges, a billing gateway, and anext-generation Network Services gateway (platform enabling third partyvalue added services for the enterprise (e.g. mobile phoneactivation/de-activation, corporate directory integration) based on IMS(IP Multimedia Subsystem). It also includes the element managementsubsystem (EMS) and a service management subsystem (SMS) for theoperational support system (OSS). The following Legend identified someof the terms used in FIG. 4.

Legend

GPRS: General Packet Radio Services—Provides mobility management,session management and transport for Internet Protocol packet servicesin GSM cellular packet networks.

GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is the most popularstandard for mobile phones in the world. GSM is both an air interfaceand networking protocol. In the US this protocol is used by T-Mobile andCingular. The most popular alternative combines the CDMA (Code DivisionMultiple Access) air interface protocol and ANSI-41 networking protocolthat are used in the US by Verizon Wireless and Sprint.

HLR: Home Location Register—The central database that contains detailsof each mobile phone subscriber that is authorised to use the cellularcore network.

IETF: Internet Engineering Task Force—Is charged with developing andpromoting Internet standards, in particular, those of the IP protocolsuite

IP: Internet Protocol—A data-oriented protocol used by source anddestination hosts for communicating data across a packet-switchedinternetwork

ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network—A type of circuit switchedtelephone network system, designed to allow digital transmission ofvoice and data over ordinary telephone copper wires

ISUP: ISDN User Part—Part of the Signaling System #7 which is used toset up telephone calls in Public Switched Telecom Networks.

MAP: Mobile Application Part (MAP)—A GSM protocol that provides anapplication layer for the various nodes in the core mobile network tocommunicate with each other in order to provide services to mobile phoneusers

MSC: Mobile Switching Center—The component of a cellular system thatcarries out switching functions and manages the communications betweenmobile phones and the Public Switched Telephone Network.

PRI: Primary Rate Interface—A telecommunications standard for carryingmultiple voice and data transmissions between two physical locations.

PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network—The concentration of the world'spublic circuit-switched telephone networks, in much the same way thatthe Internet is the concentration of the world's public IP-basedpacket-switched networks.

SGSN: Serving GPRS Support Node—The component of a cellular system thatkeeps track of the location of an individual mobile station and performssecurity functions and access control for Internet Protocol packetservices in GSM cellular packet networks.

SIGTRAN: The name given to an IETF working group that producedspecifications for a family of protocols that provide reliable datagramservice and user layer adaptations for SS7 and ISDN communicationprotocols.

SS7: Signaling System #7—A set of telephony signaling protocols whichare used to set up the vast majority of the world's PSTN telephonecalls.

TDM: Time Division Multiplexing—A method for sending multiple digitalsignals along a single telecommunications transmission path.

VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol—The routing of voice conversationsover the Internet or any other IP-based network.

Configurations: The solution enables various configurations to bedeployed.

Pure enterprise call control in which the GS is located at theenterprise site (GS-E) as shown in FIG. 4A (denoted as GS). The GS-Einterfaces with the cellular network nodes supporting SS7 and SIP orother messaging with the carrier network. The carrier network must beable to address the GS-E in order to send and receive messages.

Split call control between carrier and enterprise in which the GSlocated at the enterprise (GS-E) interacts with a GS at the carrier(GS-C) as shown in FIG. 4B. The connection between the GS-E and the GS-Ccan be SIP or other protocols. This configuration typically enables thecarrier network to have a central point of control for interacting withmultiple enterprises, and may not require the use of SS7 messaging tothe enterprise—instead it is possible to have a secure IP connectionsupporting SIP. This is also useful for offering a Centrex solution forinterconnecting with a carrier-hosted PBX, or for interconnecting acarrier-hosted GS with enterprise-hosted PBX systems. The GS-C supportsan SS7 point code multiplexer in which only one or two point codes areneeded to address all enterprises, since the GS-C can identify for whichenterprise the message is intended. The GS-E is able to provision theGS-C automatically over the IP interface to manage subscribers, e.g. toadd new pilot DNs for new subscribers. In this case the triggers used bythe originating and terminating triggers used in the cellular networkfor routing the calls to the GS-C can add identifying information of thespecific enterprise in the triggering messages (e.g. ORREQ).Alternatively the GS-C can identify the enterprise based on the callingparty information.

The following description is based on FIG. 4A and illustrates oneoperation of the invention. When an employee originates a call, theinformation is transmitted to the MSC where the subscriber's profile isexamined. The subscriber profile, previously downloaded to the MSC fromthe HLR when the subscriber activated and registered on the network,contains information that might say they have no voicemail service(since they are using the enterprise voicemail system), no three-waycalling capability (since they are using the enterprise conferencebridge capabilities), and have an Intelligent Network trigger for calloriginations, terminations and mid-call triggers. These triggers directthe MSC to query an SCP (Service Control Point) to analyze the digitsdialed and decide on how to continue to route the call. The SCP isaddressed using standard SS7 point codes. Alternatively, in an IMSarchitecture, the SCP can be an IMS SIP Application Server that isaddressed via IP addressing instead of an SS7 point code. The gatewayserver acts as the SCP and receives the message where it communicateswith the PBX to determine the routing of the call based on criteria suchas whether the call should be directed into the enterprise to send to alocal device, redirect over corporate least-cost methods, requiresmonitoring, or if the call should be routed directly by the carrier if,for example, the destination is to another subscriber on the samenetwork in the same calling area and does not need to be monitored. Thegateway server then responds to the MSC with the routing instructions.In the case where it has been decided to route the call into theenterprise, the MSC may be instructed to route the call over the PSTNnetwork, or alternatively and preferred, the MSC may be instructed toroute the call to a soft-switch which will connect the cellular TDM callwaiting in the MSC to a Media Gateway which will convert the TDM to VoIPand route the IP-based voice traffic to the enterprise. The media isthen redirected at the enterprise to the destination by either thegateway server or the PBX. In some cases, the gateway server may act asa back-to-back user agent (B2BUA) to the PBX in which the incoming callfrom the MSC is directed to be routed to a destination that is the B2BUAvia the PBX. The gateway server, acting as the B2BUA, can then establisha new call leg to the original destination through the PBX (based on theinformation received when the gateway server was acting as the SCP/IMSSIP Application Server), and then connect the incoming call from the MSCto the new call leg.

Current enterprise PBX systems are developed to be ‘enterprise grade’ interms of their reliability and availability, compared with carriernetwork systems which are ‘carrier grade’ with failover solutions toprevent or minimize interruption of service. Enterprise PBX systems areby design not as reliable as carrier networks. With the gateway serversolution of the present invention, overall system availability isincreased as the gateway server intermediates between the carrier andenterprise networks. If the PBX goes down, the gateway server 10 caninstruct the carrier to route calls on behalf of the enterprise untilthe PBX is back in service. In the event that the gateway server 10should go out of service, the architecture of the invention is such thatthe carrier network will automatically take over the calls, with onlynominal delays in routing (for example, a timeout event may occur in theMSC, after which the MSC will continue).

Many cellular carriers today allow free calling between subscribers onthe same networks (e.g. Verizon to Verizon, T-Mobile to T-Mobile). Thisis partly because the call is maintained within the cellular carrier'sown network, thus no PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)interconnect charges apply to the carrier. In addition, to call from acellular phone on one carrier to a cellular phone on another carrier, orfrom a cellular phone to a landline phone requires the call be routedthrough the PSTN, thus incurring PSTN interconnect charges to thecarrier.

One architecture of the present invention as shown in FIG. 5 employsVoIP

(Voice over Internet Protocol) to interconnect the carrier's cellularnetwork, via a managed IP network or the Internet, with the enterprisenetwork, eliminating PSTN interconnect charges to the carrier whereallowed (certain countries do not allow bypassing PSTN interconnect). Asa result, employing this solution enables cellular calls from anenterprise user on one cellular network to connect with anotherenterprise user on a different cellular network without incurring PSTNinterconnect charges for either cellular carrier thereby reducing thecost for the cellular carriers to service the enterprise calls. This isbecause the call is routed by the gateway server from the first cellularcarrier into the enterprise using VoIP, and from the enterprise out tothe terminating cellular carrier using VoIP.

Similarly, cellular calls from enterprise users to landline phones arealso transitioned from the cellular network to the enterprise over VoIP,and are connected with the PSTN at the enterprise's PBX instead of beingconnected to the PSTN from the cellular network. Again, this reduces thecost for the cellular carrier to service enterprise calls.

For the enterprise, PSTN interconnect charges are included as part ofthe landline subscription. North American landline calling plans aretypically ‘all-you-can-eat’, with no per-minute charges for local PSTNinterconnection. In Europe and other parts of the world, landline callsare charged per time interval (e.g. per minute, or per 6-secondinterval), however at a substantially lower connection charge than forcellular calls.

The diagram of FIG. 5 outlines the architecture using VoIP between thecarrier and the enterprise. The Gateway Server-Carrier (GS-C) is locatedin the carrier site. The Gateway Server-Enterprise (GS-E) is located inthe various enterprise sites. GS-C supports carrier network SS7 and IPsignaling within the carrier's network environment. The GS-C may containinformation about multiple enterprises that use the present inventionincluding information about the individual enterprise networkconfigurations. The GS-C may also contain certain subscriber informationfor employees of the enterprise that assists the GS-C in optimallyrouting the calls or handle emergency situations. The GS-C communicateswith the GS-E sites to determine if the cellular call should be routedinto the enterprise network, and if so what is the closest point ofattachment. Advantageously, the interface between the GS-C and GS-E istypically all IP-based—SIP, SIGTRAN or even an encapsulation of cellularprotocols such as GSM MAP or ANSI-41 within IP or SIP. The GS-Einterfaces with the enterprise PBX. Once the optimal routing is defined,the GS-E informs the GS-C. The GS-C communicates with the carrier'ssoftswitch and media gateway to establish a bearer path that convertsthe TDM voice from the MSC to VoIP to be delivered to the enterprise.Once the bearer is connected with the enterprise, it is redirected tothe appropriate destination using the bearer resources of theenterprise, such as VoIP connections to other offices, leased lines, orPSTN. The signaling and bearer traffic may traverse Session BorderControllers at the carrier and enterprise sites.

One preferred call flow for call origination is shown in FIG. 6, and isas follows:

1. Origination Request received from Wireless Network

2. Info message used to query GS-E about mobile origination policy forsubscriber

3. info message received by GS-C with mobile origination policy

4. Response is returned to ORREQ giving GS-C as the destination of thecall

5. SS routes call to GS-C

6. GS-C—conveys the now call initiation to the GS-E

7. GS-E provides routing information to GS-C to get the mobilesubscriber's call to route to their home PBX

8. Receipt of routing information is acknowledged by GS-C

9. The call is responded to providing the new contact address for GS-E.

10. Rerouting response is acknowledged

11. The call invitation is routed to GS-E

12. Media Server ports are requested—so that digits dialed can becapture for feature invocation

13. The media server responds with the ports allocated.

14. GS-E sends the call invite to the PBX for routing to the intendeddestination—user B

15. The PBX forwards on the Call invite to the User 8

16. User B indicates that ringing is occurring

17. The PBX sends the ringing indication onto the GS-E box

18. The GS-E box propagates the ringing indication to the wirelessnetwork

19. User 8 answers the call

20. Answer is sent by PBX to GS-E

21. GS-C provides the destination port information to the Media Server

22. Media Server acknowledges request

23. GS-C sends response to call onto wireless network

24. Answer is acknowledged by wireless network

25. GS-C propagates the acknowledgment to the PBX

26. PBX propagates the acknowledgment to User B

27. User B hangs up the call

28. PBX propagates the BYE to GS-E

29. GS-E, releases the media Server context

30. Media Server acknowledges the release

31. GS-E propagates the Bye to the wireless network.

One preferred call flow for effecting Call Delivery using VoIP is shownin FIG. 7 and is as follows:

1. Call Originates to PBX

2. PBX delivers call invite to User B desktop phone

3. PBX forks the call—delivers call invite to GS for wireless user

4. GS-E allocates a media port to insert into the call path

5. Media Server acknowledges media resource allocation

6. User B indicates that ringing is occurring on desktop phone

7. Invite for mobile phone is sent into GS-C

8. GS-C using the Location Request—asks for the Temporary Routing numberrequired to deliver call to endpoint

9. Wireless network responses with the TLDN

10. GS-C tells GS-E to redirect the call to the TLDN

11. 302 Response is acknowledged

12. GS-E routes the call to the TLDN

13. Wireless network indicates that ringing is occurring on wirelessphone

14. GS-E propagates ringing to PBX for wireless end point

15. Wireless phone indicates that call has been answered

16. GS-E box modifies media context to include the wireless port numberinformation

17. Media server acknowledge update of media context

18. GS-E sends OK to PBX to acknowledge answer of call

19. PBX cancel the call log to User B

20. PBX acknowledges call answer to GS-E

21. GS-E propagates ACK to wireless network

22. User B acknowledges the cancel request

23. PBX acknowledges receipt of the request terminated message.

One preferred call flow for effecting Mobile termination using VoIP isshown in FIG. 8 and is as follows:

1. Termination Trigger indicating that call has been terminated toMobile number

2. GS-C requests termination policy from GSE

3. GS-E returns termination policy and based on policy routes call intoenterprise for handling

4. GS-C reroutes call into Enterprise for handling

5. Call arrives at GS-E for handling

6. GS-E allocates media ports for feature invocation

7. Media Ports and allocate and response is returned\

8. GS-E ask PBX to route call to appropriate end point

9. PBX sends invite to end point

10. End Point starts ringing the end point

11. Ringing indication is sent back to GS-E

12. Endpoint answers the call

13. Response is relayed to GS-E

14. Media Ports are modified to reflect end point IP address/port

15. Media Server confirms that ports have been set up

17. Ack confirms that bearer path is set up to PBX

18. Ack confirms to end point that bearer path is set up

TABLE 1 Benefit Description Increased personal The gateway server'scellular access enables anytime, anywhere and workgroup accessibilityusing the enterprise's corporate PBX network. Extending productivityvoice and other applications such as e-mail and instant messaging withmobility creates immediate productivity improvements. Lower Long Becausethe gateway server solution includes routing all enterprise users'Distance Costs cellular calls through the enterprise Voice over IPnetwork, voice traffic is always routed efficiently and takes advantageof the enterprise's low cost long distance services. The higher volumeof traffic also enables the enterprise to negotiate better rates fromtheir long distance service provider. Seamless integration Using Voiceover IP technology, the gateway server integrates with the enterpriseseamlessly with the enterprise's existing PBX solution. Additionally,the PBX and IT gateway server provides a platform for tightlyintegrating wireless access applications with IT applications. Examplesof these applications include e-mail, instant messaging, sales forceautomation, enterprise resource planning, field support, time reporting,customer billing, etc. Control of a Mission The gateway server enablesthe enterprise to control its cellular service Critical Service bothfrom an administrative perspective and a disaster recovery perspective.For example, the gateway server lets the enterprise and/or the employeehandle the provisioning of their own services. Additionally, the gatewayserver supports geographic redundancy, such that in the event of adisaster at one location, all control is transferred to the backupinstallation. Leverages existing The gateway server solution allows theenterprise to re-use other voice enterprise and data infrastructure forboth desktop and cellular use- One key infrastructure example is theenterprise voice mail system: Both the desktop phone and wireless phonecan forward to the same voice mail box operated by the enterprise.Message waiting indicators can be turned on and off on both phonessimultaneously. Enables “best- The gateway server enables the enterpriseto monitor and record cellular practices” control phone calls, just asthey can do with deskphone calls today. This supports procedures“Sarbanes-Oxley”-like control procedures that are being implemented bymajor corporations for best practices. Seamless cellular The gatewayserver solution includes the necessary business agreements service,globally (including roaming agreements) to enable enterprise users tohave seamless cellular access all over the world. Higher Control forCompanies typically allow an employee to choose their own cellular theEnterprise phone, plan and carrier. Unlike the desktop phone, thecompany has no controls over how the employee uses the cellular phone.The gateway server solution provides for a policy-based serviceprovisioning: Employees are given a profile which defines what kind ofcalls they can make. Today, when the employee terminates theiremployment with the company, they keep their phone and cellular phonenumber. As the company's customers have been given this number, theywill continue calling the employee after he has left the company. Withthe gateway server solution this situation will not occur as the companyis now in control of both the mobile device and cellular number. Callsto an un- used number can be intercepted and handled appropriately.Convenience of One Enterprise users will no longer have to give out bothdesktop and cellular Number numbers. The gateway server solutionintegrates seamlessly with the enterprises PBX and enables advancedservices like “One Number”. Single corporate The gateway server and theenterprise PBX can share a common dialing wide dialing plan plan. Thismeans that four or five digit dialing available on the desktop phone canalso be used on the cellular phone (both in and out of the office). Italso means that all cellular calls will be routed in the same way a calloriginated from a desktop is routed. Lower Using the gateway serversolution, the enterprise always receives the Administration lowestnegotiated rate for both cellular voice and cellular data traffic. TheCosts gateway server decides whether to route the call into theenterprise to be routed over the enterprise network, or to instruct thecellular network to proceed with routing the call (for example, if oneenterprise user is calling another enterprise user on the same cellularnetwork, and neither user is marked for the conversation to bemonitored). Neither the enterprise nor the employee have to evaluate thedifferent plans the cellular operator offers and guess at which onewould be best suited to the employee. Instead, all employees are part ofthe single corporate negotiated plan. Additionally, costs involved inexpensing and reimbursing employee cellular phone costs are eliminated.Security As the gateway server includes the wireless data router,security vulnerabilities are reduced as data traffic is never “exposed”outside of the enterprise.

The invention enables a multi-dimensional paradigm change that hasprofound effects on the overall industry, as it will not only change howenterprises purchase and use cellular service—but will ultimately impactthe entire value chain for wireless and wireline service providers andmanufacturers.

The gateway server 10 architecture enables the migration of centralizedcall control from the cellular carrier networks to distributed callcontrol throughout individual enterprise networks. The gateway server 10enables cellular service to effectively be “plugged-in” to the PBX,similar to how local and long distance service are connected to currentPBXs.

As a result of gateway server 10 capability, enterprises are equippedfor carriers to compete for the enterprise's cellular PBX service asthey do today for local and long distance interconnection with the PBX.By winning the business, carriers will benefit from locking in largenumbers of users while significantly reducing its sales, marketing, andacquisition costs since service minutes will be sold bulk to theenterprise as a whole, no longer to individual employees. Though theinvention has been described with respect to a specific preferredembodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It istherefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted asbroadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all suchvariations and modifications.

Advantages of the gateway architecture are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Situation without Gateway Server Situation with Gateway ServerCost for Cellular High Cost Low Cost Service Asset Reuse No utilizationof enterprise telecom High utilization of enterprise telecom assetsassets Services Purchase all services from carrier (e.g. Reuse corporateVoice over IP, least Long Distance, Voicemail, 3-way cost routing,voicemail, etc. calling, etc.) Devices Each employee requires adeskphone Possibility to replace deskphone with and a separate cellularphone cellular phone results in less equipment to support and lesssubscriptions Move-Add- MAC required every time employee No MACsrequired for cellular-PBX Changes changes offices for desk phone =time + users (MACs) expense Control of Low degree of control - managedHigher degree of Control for Cellular Usage exclusively by carrierenterprise Rate Individual cellular subscription plans Bulk Ratediscount minutes for all employees On-Net Routing Two-stage dialingrequired. Difficult Automatic on-net routing, no user to dial contactsintervention required Long Distance Purchased from carrier - Included inBulk rate airtime minutes do not service plan for national LD, chargedinclude Long Distance (lower cost to separately for international athigh enterprise) - any LD calls (national or rates international) arerouted over corporate VoIP network: “Forced on- net” Tail-end Hop NoTail-end Flop Off Tail-end Hop Off for long distance Off calls wherepermitted Service Provider Individual employee relationships Singlerelationship into Service Relationship with carrier Provider for allcorporate subscribers - Better leverage for negotiating supply, reducesminutes wasted in individual buckets Sales, Carrier subject to expensesfor sales, Single relationship between enterprise Marketing. marketing,subsidies per individual & carrier: No individual sales, Customer Care,subscriber marketing, subsidies Subsidies Customer Care Provided bycarrier Tier 1 provided by enterprise PBX IT department, Tier 2 bycarrier Expense Manual expense handling per PBX tracks cellular calls -charges to Handling employee appropriate cost center, like landlinecalls VolP Integration No VoIP integration - all LD from VoIPintegration with carrier carrier trunks eliminates PSTN Interconnectcharges; VoIP call routing on enterprise networks for LD Policy and NoPolicy control Calls subject to PBX corporate Control policies per user(internal calling only, local calling allowed, national long distanceallowed, international allowed) Tracking Tracking of cellular calls viaprinted Cellular calls automatically tracked in subscriber bill only PBXCall Monitoring Cannot monitor or record cellular Cellular calls can bemonitored and calls recorded no matter where subscriber is locatedReconciliation No reconciliation for cellular charges Reconciliation ofcellular calls tracked from carrier in PBX with carrier recordsIntegration with Little or no integration with corporate Can beintegrated with corporate IT IT Applications IT applications.applications, e.g., Corporate Phone Directory, security/badging systemsto activate/deactivate cellular phone, corporate ERP, CRM systemsConvergence Cellular, Local and Long Distance Possibility for singleprovider for from separate carriers Cellular, Local and Long DistanceOne-Number Separate desk phone and cellular Opportunity for true singlenumber service phone. for both cellular and desk phone Device Throughcarrier - no customization Direct from manufacturers. AcquisitionPossibility to standardize corporate Customization device strategy,customize to enterprise IT needs.Current Situation

Existing platforms for detecting DTMF digit events fall into one of thefollowing two categories:

Category I) Required to be a terminating end-point for a call session

Category II) Expensive hardware-based solution

Category I) solutions do not allow the call server to provide mid-callservices during an active two party call session and therefore do notprovide the necessary functionality. Category II) solutions provide thenecessary functionality but are too expensive and increase the hardwarefootprint too much to be viable solutions.

The Solution

One preferred embodiment of the invention includes a new mechanismwhereby a VoIP call server can detect Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF)digit events within the bearer stream of a VoIP call session. A callserver is defined as being an intermediate node on the signaling path ofa call (e.g. a routing proxy) rather than an endpoint such as anInteractive Voice Response (IVR) system. This embodiment of theinvention allows the call server to cost effectively provide mid-callservices to end clients based on DTMF digit events originated by aclient.

This preferred embodiment of the invention, herein as the Packet Engineand shown in FIG. 12, allows a call server to detect DTMF digit eventson the call path of an active two party call session using a softwareonly solution. This software only solution provides the requisitefunctionality in a cost-effective and scalable manner.

The Packet Engine can be advantageously deployed on a separate hardwareplatform from the call server, on the same hardware platform, or evenstatically linked into the call server process itself in order toprovide both flexibility and scalability. The Packet Engine supportscontrol by multiple call servers in the network. Likewise, a single callserver can control multiple Packet Engines providing for a many-to-manyrelationship.

In one preferred embodiment, the Packet Engine consists of two parts: auser space process as shown in FIG. 13 and a Linux kernel module asshown in FIG. 14. The user space process is responsible for receivingand sending commands to/from the call server. The user space processutilizes the Linux utility IPTables to create port mappings within theIP stack. This advantageously allows RTP media packets to flow from oneside of the Packet Engine to another in a highly efficient manner (allforwarding is done within the stack preventing packets from being sentup to the user space process).

The second part of the Packet Engine, the kernel module, allows thePacket Engine to determine which packets being forwarded by the IP stackcontain DTMF digits. The kernel module examines the headers of each RTPpacket being forwarded and checks the Payload Type field. If the PayloadType field indicates the packet contains a DTMF event (encoded as perIETF RFC 2833) then the kernel module sends the packet up to the userspace process for further application level processing. The kernelmodule advantageously operates as an extension (plugin) to the Linuxkernel and therefore allows incoming packets to be examined in a highlyefficient manner since the packet never leaves the kernel.

Once in the user space, the DTMF events are reported up to the callserver in order to enable feature invocation. The Packet Engine can besupervised by the call server to only look for specific DTMF digitpatterns and report them to the call server or it can be supervised tolook for and report all DTMF digit events. The Packet Engine utilizes abuffer and an inter-digit timer to determine the start and stop of digitpatterns (e.g. *97) in order to differentiate a feature invocation digitpattern from standard DTMF digits being sent to end client applicationsuch as an IVR.

The invention also advantageously provides a network-based architecturethat enables the support for existing standard cellular handsets,without modifications or client software on the devices. Next generationspecialized Wi-Fi and client-based handsets are also supported. Bycomparison, alternative solutions may require specific expensivespecialized handsets with downloadable software clients that need to bemanaged by the enterprise IT department. The usability of these servicesis often not as intuitive and simple as using the standard phonecapability for making calls, since the software is downloaded onto thedevice and subject to the device's capabilities and restrictions such aswindow screen size and soft & hard key programming. In addition, becausethe client is itself is an application running on the device, the clienthas to be activated, or ‘turned-on’ to run the application to integratewith the enterprise network. This means it may be possible that theemployee chooses not to activate the feature, and thereby continue tomake calls on the cellular network that are not tracked, managed,monitored or routed over the corporate network (for least cost routing)by the enterprise's PBX.

Because the described solution is network-based, the employee cannotcircumvent the enterprise integration. At the discretion of theenterprise, employees may be permitted to use the cellular phone forpersonal use, for example on weekends or after work, by tracking thesecalls and charging them to the employee or deducting directly from theirpaycheck. The cost of the personal calls may still be at the corporatediscounted rates which would thereby benefit the employee.

IMS Architecture

The gateway server 10 is based on the next generation IMS (IP MultimediaSubsystem) architecture as shown in FIG. 10, and is designed to bebackward compatible with legacy cellular networks based on existingcellular protocols. This feature enables the gateway server 10 to befutureproof as operators roll out an IMS architecture over time, whilestill supporting the overwhelming majority of existing legacy networksand devices that do not support IMS.

Current competing solutions are designed using legacy networkarchitecture only, with no support for IMS. Effectively, the gatewayserver IMS solution adds modules for supporting ANSI-41/WIN andGSM-MAP/CAMEL and AIN protocols to achieve backward compatibility withlegacy networks, as shown in FIG. 11.

Legend

BSC: Base Station Controller—Component of a cellular network thatconnects between the MSC and the Base Station Transceivers thatcommunicate with mobile devices over the air

CAMEL: Customised Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic A setof GSM standards designed to allow an operator to define services overand above standard GSM services based on the Intelligent Network (IN)standards, and uses the CAP protocol.

CAP: CAMEL Application Part—Protocol stack that provides service controlfor voice & data services and IP multimedia sessions

CCCF: Call Continuity Control Function—Signaling function for ensuringvoice call continuity across disparate networks such as from cellular toWi-Fi networks

IM-SSF: IP Multimedia Service Switching Function—Interfaces with CAMELApplication Servers using CAP

MGCF: Media gateway Control Function—Signaling controller of Mediagateways using SIP

MGW: Media gateway—Component of a communications network that convertsbetween different media types (e.g. VoIP and TDM voice) for deliveringbearer traffic.

MMSC: Multimedia Messaging System—A system of transmitting various kindsof multimedia contents (e.g. images, audio &/or video clips) overwireless networks using the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)protocol.

NeDS: Network Domain Selection—Signaling function that controlsselection of different access networks for delivering calls

P-CSCF: Proxy Call Session Control Function—The SIP proxy server that isthe first point of contact for a terminal with the IMS network

SCP: Service Control Point—A standard component of IN (IntelligentNetworks) used to execute and control IN services

S-CSCF: Serving Call Session Control Function—The central IMS SIP serverof the signaling plane for controlling sessions

SIP: Session Initiation Protocol—A protocol developed by the IETF forinitiating, modifying, and terminating an interactive user session thatinvolves multimedia elements such as video, voice, instant messaging. InNovember 2000, SIP was accepted as a signaling protocol of the IMSarchitecture. It is one of the leading signaling protocols for Voiceover IP, along with H.323.

SIP-AS: SIP Application Server—IMS element for invoking and controllingservices

SMSC: Short Message Service Center—Application for enabling thetransmission and reception of text messages on mobile phones

VM: Voicemail—Application for recording and retrieving voice messages

WAP: Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)—Open standard for Internetaccess from a mobile phone.

WIN: Wireless Intelligent Network—Signaling standard designed to allowan operator to define services over and above standard ANSI-41 servicesbased on the Intelligent Network (IN) standards

The invention also advantageously provides a network-based architecturethat enables the support for existing standard cellular handsets,without modifications or client software on the devices. Next generationspecialized Wi-Fi and client-based handsets are also supported. Bycomparison, alternative solutions may require specific expensivespecialized handsets with downloadable software clients that need to bemanaged by the enterprise IT department. The usability of these servicesis often not as intuitive and simple as using the standard phonecapability for making calls, since the software is downloaded onto thedevice and subject to the device's capabilities and restrictions such aswindow screen size and soft & hard key programming. In addition, becausethe client is itself is an application running on the device, the clienthas to be activated, or ‘turned-on’ to run the application to integratewith the enterprise network. This means it may be possible that theemployee chooses not to activate the feature, and thereby continue tomake calls on the cellular network that are not tracked, managed,monitored or routed over the corporate network (for least cost routing)by the enterprise's PBX.

Because the described solution is network-based, the employee cannotcircumvent the enterprise integration. At the discretion of theenterprise, employees may be permitted to use the cellular phone forpersonal use, for example on weekends or after work, by tracking thesecalls and charging them to the employee or deducting directly from theirpaycheck. The cost of the personal calls may still be at the corporatediscounted rates which would thereby benefit the employee.

System and Method for Executing Originating Services in a TerminatingNetwork for IMS and Non-IMS Applications

The invention describes a system and method for executing originatingservices in a terminating IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network in whicha triggered application may or may not support IMS.

One of the benefits of such an invention is to enable an IMS network tointerface with a non-IMS network. Another benefit is to enable an IMSnetwork to interface with a second IMS network supporting a non-IMSapplication. A third benefit is that an originating IMS network need nothave to support all originating services for the originator as theinvention enables a second network to offer originating services for anoriginator in a first network.

A Gateway Server acting as an IMS standard-compliant SIP ApplicationServer in a first IMS network can communicate with a corresponding GS inthe terminating network to enable origination services to be executed inthe terminating network even if the terminating network is notIMS-compliant. The GS-C is typically located in the wireless carriernetwork which may be IMS-compliant, while the GS-E is typically locatedin the enterprise network which may or may not be IMS-compliant. Thisapplication server in the enterprise could be a PBX which effectivelyserves subscribers in a manner similar to an IMS Serving-CSCF, howeverdoes not support IMS interfaces.

Irrespective of whether the terminating network is IMS-compliant or not,the described architecture in which a GS is acting as an IMS-compliantSIP-AS within the IMS network interfacing with a GS in another networkenables this second network to offer origination services separatelyfrom the first network.

For this to occur, the session, when passed to the GS-C applicationserver, is redirected into the terminating network, which could be anenterprise. This is performed by resetting the destination address to anenterprise specific address and instructing the wireless network routethat session into the foreign domain of the enterprise network. GS-C maycommunicate with the GSE directly outside the IMS network, or throughthe stand IMS network messaging.

To enable the execution of originating services within the terminatingnetwork, the GS solution enables the enterprise network to provide thoseservices by passing the session to a PBX as if it were a request fororiginating services. Therefore two types of originating services can beexecuted—those in the wireless carrier network (the originating network)and those of the enterprise (the terminating network).

In a similar manner, termination services are executed in theterminating network. When a session is terminated to an enterprise user,the GS solution enables the PBX to execute its terminating services forthat user, and then pass the session to the IMS network as a terminationsuch that the terminating wireless carrier may also apply terminatingservices for the terminating mobile subscriber.

FIG. 15 outlines the current IMS standard definition in which an IMSdevice A originating a session with the carrier IMS network communicateswith the data gateway (1) which forward to the P-CSCF (2) whichultimately communicates with the Serving-CSCF (3). The S-CSCF triggerson the Initial Filter Criteria (IFC) to one or many SIP-AS which performthe origination services for user A prior to routing the session (6) tothe destination in the terminating carrier IMS network through theI-CSCF to user B's S-CSCF (7).

The S-CSCF then triggers on the IFC to one or many SIP-AS which performthe terminating services for User B (8)-(9) prior to terminating thesession through the data gateway (11) to user B.

FIG. 16 outlines the invention whereby the steps 1 through 5 are thesame as previously described, whereby the GS-C represents a SIP-AS thatis triggered by the IFC. The GS-C may communicate with the GS-E directly(8) to prepare it for an upcoming communication (9), in which case theGS-C/E are treated as a complex by the originating network's S-CSCF.Alternatively the GS-C can communicate with the GS-E entity through thestandard IMS interfaces (9). In either case, the S-CSCF then routes thesession (9) to the destination in the terminating carrier IMS networkthrough the I-CSCF as part of the GS-E, to user B's S-CSCF (10), whichmay act as a front-end converted to a non-IMS application such as a PBX.In this case the S-CSCF Front End (FE) converts the IMS messaging intothe corresponding SIP-AS service-invocation messages of the non-IMSapplication (11).

The FE may convert the terminating services request to an originatingservices request prior to communicating with the terminating service(11). This allows the terminating service to invoke services as if itwere an originating node. For example, the PBX can perform originatingservices such as invoking call policy (restrict user A from dialinginternational) prior to routing the call.

Once the originating services are executed, the non-IMS application canthen perform terminating services. For example, the PBX could invokedestination services for user B to route calls from user A to voicemail.

In the case where the terminating network application were IMS-compliant(e.g. an IMS-compliant PBX), the FE would convert the terminatingservices request to an originating services request prior tocommunicating with the IMS-compliant application (11), and once theoriginating service has been performed, the application would returncontrol to the FE which would then invoke another service request backto the IMS-compliant application to perform terminating services.

System and Method for Enabling Multi-Line Mobile Telephone Service on aSingle-Line Mobile Telephone

Another embodiment of the invention includes a system and method forenabling a multi-line mobile telephone service using a single-linemobile telephone. The embodiment of invention applies to various networkarchitectures used in communications systems including legacy mobilenetwork architecture based on SS7, GSM-MAP and/or ANSI-41, as well asthe next generation IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture.

One of the benefits of this embodiment is enabling a subscriber tomanipulate the outgoing caller identification information whenoriginating a call, such that the called party will see the identity(including the phone number and name information) that was selected bythe calling party.

An example of this embodiment of the usage of the invention might be adoctor whose patients are directed to call a special phone number toreach the doctor after hours. The doctor can set the special after-hoursphone number to forward to their mobile phone using existing solutionsthat exist today. This way the doctor need not give out their personalmobile phone information. When a patient calls the special after-hoursphone number, the call is forwarded to the doctor's mobile phone withoutrevealing the doctor's mobile phone number to the patient.

However in the reverse case, this embodiment of the invention enablesthe doctor to call a patient from their mobile phone without revealingtheir mobile phone number. This is done by enabling the doctor to selecta specific outgoing line from which to originate the call on theirmobile phone. The patient will see the calling party identificationinformation of the outgoing line selected by the doctor, which could bethe special after-hours phone number, not be the doctor's mobile phonenumber.

The function of this embodiment of the invention is described below.This feature can operate in a legacy mobile network architecture such asGSM-MAP or ANSI-41, or in a next generation architecture such as IMS.

Outgoing Call Handling

Prior to originating an outgoing call the calling party can identify theoutgoing line information using various means such as:

On a per-call basis, dialing a prefix to the outgoing number such as#542 or *542 (where 54 are the digits that represent the letters LI on atelephone keypad) indicating to use Line 2. Thus the digit string mightbe *542-212-481-2813 <SEND>

On a permanent calling basis, dialing a feature-activation code such as#542 or *542 indicating to use Line 2 for all outgoing calls until asubsequent instruction is received. The digit string might be *542<SEND>. The subscriber can then dial any outgoing call such as212-481-2813, and the call will be originated from Line 2.

Referring to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, to enable this capability, a GatewayServer Carrier (GS-C) acting as an IMS standard-compliant SIPApplication Server in an IMS network architecture, or acting as an SCP(Service Control Point) in a legacy network architecture, will betriggered by the network to invoke a service. In the IMS case thistrigger typically results from the Initial Filter Criteria (IFC) that isderived from the subscriber's Home Subscriber Server (HSS) profile andutilized by the Call State Control Function (CSCF). In the legacy casethis trigger results from an intelligent network trigger that isoriginated from the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) based on thesubscriber's Home Location Register (HLR) profile.

Once the trigger is received in the GS-C containing the digits dialed bythe subscriber, the GS-C can then invoke the service whereby it cancommunicate with a Gateway Server Enterprise (GS-E) located in anenterprise. The GS-E can then originate an outgoing call to the intendeddestination using the outgoing line including the appropriate callingline information selected by the subscriber, and then connect thatoutgoing call leg to the originating call leg from the subscriber.

In the case of a per-call invocation of the multi-line service,subsequent calls made from the mobile phone would have the lineselection default back to either a primary line, or to the last lineselected in a previous call. For example, if a user's primary line is212-814-4490, and they originate a call with digits *542-212-481-2813indicating to use line 2 to call to destination 212-481-2813, then ifthe same subscriber subsequently dials another number such as212-777-2222, this call would originate from either the primary line212-8144-490 or from the previously selected line 2 from the previousper-call invocation of *542-212-481-2813. Thus the called party(212-777-2222) would see the calling party information as either theprimary line 212-814-4490, or the previously per-call selected line212-481-2813. The preference of whether subsequent calls should defaultback to the primary line or to the last line selected in a previous callcan be defined by either the service provider, the system administratoror the user if permitted.

In the case of a permanent invocation of the multi-line service, allsubsequent calls to the feature invocation (i.e. following the dialingof *542 indicating the selection of line 2), would continue to use line2 until changed by the user, the system administrator or a function suchas a timer or external application. For example, a calendar event couldautomatically reset a doctor's outgoing mobile phone line back to thedaytime office number beginning each morning.

Additionally, a user may select a personality or profile based onvarious criteria (such as the user being at work, in a meeting, at homeoutside of work hours, etc.). The personality or profile can be selectedmanually or automatically set based on criteria such as whether theemployee has badged into the office or has logged into their workcomputer, Time-of-Day or Day-of-Week information, or other criteria. Thepersonality or profile would determine the outgoing line to be used—suchas a personal line when after six in the evening, or when the user hasbadged out of the office or has logged out of their work computer.Additionally the personality or profile could determine which voicemailsystem to use, in addition to the customizing and tailoring of otherservices.

Incoming Call Handling

Referring now to FIG. 19, for incoming calls on various lines that areto be directed to the subscriber's mobile phone, the calling name andnumber information may be preceded with supplementary information toindicate which line was called. For example, an indicator such as 2#could precede the incoming calling name or calling number information toindicate the call came in on line 2. Simultaneously or alternatively adistinctive ring can be invoked instead of the standard ring, toindicate which line was dialed by the calling party.

Note in some cases replacing the first set of digits (such as the areacode digits) with the line information may be preferred instead ofprefixing the line information to the full digits in order to preservethe display formatting on certain mobile phones. This is because certainmobile phones support only ten digits in the display, therefore if lineinformation is prefixed to the digits, the ending digits would notappear in the display.

Incoming calls on various lines that are intended to be routed to thesubscriber's mobile phone terminate at the GS-E. The GS-E identifies thedestination mobile phone to which the incoming call should be routedbased on various criteria such as time-of-day, day-of-week, permanentsettings, or other user/administrator settings for determining callrouting.

If the GS-C has the ability to originate outgoing calls then the GS-Eorders the GS-C to originate a call to the subscriber's mobile phonewith the calling name and number information of the calling partyprefixed with supplementary information to indicate which line wascalled, and/or with a distinctive ring indicator. Once the outgoing legis established, the GS-C connects the outgoing leg to the incoming callleg in the control of the GS-E.

If the GS-C does not have the ability to originate calls then the GS-Eoriginates the outgoing call to the subscriber's mobile phone with thecalling name and number information of the calling party prefixed withsupplementary information to indicate which line was called, and/or witha distinctive ring indicator. Once the outgoing leg is established, theGS-E connects the outgoing leg to the incoming call leg.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of a method for speeding call originations andterminations to a variety of devices using intelligent predictivetechniques for call routing in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. The method begins at step 1, where the userdials the destination digits. The mobile device then originates the callover a mobile voice connection to the Cellular Radio Network. At step 2,the Radio Network sends the destination digits to the Cellular SwitchingNetwork. The Switching Network then sends the destination digits to theGS-C at step 3. At step 4, the GS-C identifies the user and informs theappropriate GS-E for the user. The GS-E then processes the originationand destination information to decide when to originate a call to thedestination, and the process proceeds to step 5.

At step 5, the voice path is established between the mobile device tothe Radio Network, and at step 6, the voice path is established betweenthe Radio Network and the Switching Network. The GS-E then orders theGateway at step 7 to originate a call to the destination. At step 8, theGateway originates a call to the destination digits via the PSTN or aVoIP network. The PSTN or VoIP network then routes the second call tothe destination at step 9. The voice path is then established betweenthe Gateway and the PSTN or VoIP network at step 10, and the voice pathis established between the PSTN or VoIP network and the destination atstep 11.

At step 12, the Switching Network routes the call to the Gateway. Atstep 13, the Gateway informs the GS-E of the incoming call, and the GS-Erecords the event. The process then proceeds to step 14, where the voicepath is established between the Switching Network and the Gateway. TheGateway then joins the original incoming call with the second outgoingcall at step 15.

In operation the process shown in FIG. 20 speeds call originations andterminations to a variety of devices, using intelligent predictivetechniques for call routing based on the historical data of the lengthof time required to establish a call to a destination. Thus, the amountof time that a user appears to wait until being joined with a calledparty can be decreased.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram of a method for enabling secure VPN-less datasessions for connecting mobile data devices with an enterprise datanetwork in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The method begins at step 1, where a user operating on acellular network invokes a request to establish a data connectionbetween the mobile device and the Cellular Radio Network. The methodthen proceeds to step 2, where the Radio Network sends the request tothe SGSN. At step 3, the SGSN forwards the request to the appropriateGGSN which is the GS-C. The GS-C supports the GGSN interface to the SGSNwithin the cellular network. The method then proceeds to step 4.

At step 4, the GS-C forwards the request to the appropriate GS-E for theuser, and the data bearer is established between the mobile device andthe Radio Network at step 5. The method then proceeds to step 6 wherethe data bearer is established between the Radio Network and the SGSN.

At step 7, the data bearer is established between the SGSN and the GS-C.The method then proceeds to step 8 where the data bearer is establishedbetween the GS-C and the GS-E which supports the selectable security andencryption. At step 9, the GS-E supports the GGSN interface to the datanetwork within the enterprise, and data destined for the Internet passesthrough the enterprise firewall at step 10.

In operation, the method of FIG. 21 enables a secure VPN-less datasession for connecting mobile data devices with an enterprise datanetwork, such as by using the GPRS tunneling or otherenterprise-preferred security protocols or in other suitable manners.

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram of a system and method for enabling calloriginations using a mobile data connection and hotline capabilities inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Themethod begins at step 1 where a subscriber profile is downloaded to theMSC with the hotline feature active prior to the user originating acall. The method then proceeds to step 2 where the user originates acall by dialing destination digits. The mobile device sends thedestination digits over a mobile data connection to the Cellular RadioNetwork. The method then proceeds to step 3.

At step 3, the Radio Network sends the destination digits to theCellular Switching Network, and the method proceeds to step 4 where theSwitching Network sends the destination digits to a Data Gateway. Atstep 5, the Data Gateway sends the destination digits to the ApplicationServer. The Application Server stores the origination and destinationdigits.

At step 6, the mobile device originates a call over a mobile voiceconnection to the Radio Network, and the method proceeds to step 7 wherethe Radio Network connects the call to the Switching Network. At step 8,the voice path is established between the mobile device to the RadioNetwork. The method proceeds to step 9 where the voice path isestablished between the Radio Network and the Switching Network. TheSwitching Network then routes the call to the Gateway based on thehotline feature at step 10.

At step 11, the Gateway informs the Application Server of the incomingcall. The Application Server uses the origination digits to identify thecall. The Application Server then orders the Gateway to accept the calland to originate a second call to the destination digits at step 12, andthe method proceeds to step 13.

At step 13, the voice path is established between the Switching Networkand the Gateway. The Gateway then originates a call to the destinationdigits via the PSTN or a VoIP network at step 14, and the methodproceeds to step 15 where the PSTN or VoIP network routes the secondcall to the destination. At step 16, the voice path is establishedbetween the Gateway and the PSTN or VoIP network. The voice path is thenestablished between the PSTN or VoIP network and the destination at step17, and the Gateway joins the original incoming call with the secondoutgoing call at step 18.

In operation, the method of FIG. 22 enables call originations using amobile data connection with hotline capabilities such that the routingof the call is controlled by an external network.

Technical Advantages

1. Provisioning: The gateway server may also support a provisioningengine for provisioning the functions of the server itself, as well asprovisioning external nodes including the enterprise PBX and the publiccarrier cellular network nodes. It may be possible that the gatewayserver provisioning engine (GSPE) front-end the entire PBX and be usedto provision all data in the PBX. Alternatively the GSPE may be used toprovision all functions in the PBX related to a cellular subscriberincluding their landline information, or it may be used to provisiononly the cellular portion of PBX subscriber information. In the cellularnetwork, the GSPE may be used to provision the HLR/HSS of the carrier tomodify existing service profiles for employees that are currentlysubscribers of the operator's network and are being transferred to thenew service plan for enabling this service. The GSPE may also be usedfor provisioning new subscribers to the service that were previously notsubscribers of that operator. The GSPE may also be used for provisioningother nodes in the cellular network such as a Foreign Agent, Home Agent,soft-switch, MSC, SGSN or GGSN. These functions would typically beprovisioned with routing information used for enabling the service.

2. Method for speeding up call originations/terminations by usingpredictive techniques for routing half call, using intelligence todecide when to route calls to different devices based on presence,routes, TOD, distance. Calls routed to/from a subscriber of this servicetypically occurs in two stages, e.g. from the cellular network to theenterprise, and from the enterprise to the destination. Since thegateway server is notified in the first stage of the originator and thedesired destination, it is possible for the GS to begin routing thesecond leg prior to the first leg's bearer being established. Usingintelligence of the destination route combined with knowledge from pastexperience in the time it may take to route to a certain destinationusing a particular method or link, the GS may predict the moment atwhich it should begin routing the second leg of the call in anticipationof receiving the indication that the bearer for the first leg beingestablished such that the two legs can be connected together with nodelays. This technique can be used to minimize the chances that thesecond leg will be established and answered by the destination partybefore the first leg is setup. Conversely, this technique may minimizethe wait of the originating party for the second leg to be establishedsince the first leg need not be completely established to the enterprisebefore routing of the second leg is started. The GS may continuouslyupdate its information with intelligence about the routing times forspecific destinations, and use this information in deciding the timingof setting up the call legs in order to minimize the end-to-end callestablishment time.

3. Enterprise Call presence for mobile phones: Because the GS is locatedin the call path, the GS maintains knowledge of when a subscriber isactive and available for calls, and also when a subscriber is currentlyin an active call. The GS can share this information with applicationsthat may be used to, for example, indicate to other users that thesubscriber is currently busy in a call. When the subscriber terminatesthe call, this information can be used to inform another user that thesubscriber is available to receive a call. This presence information canalso be provided to other presence servers that may be outside theenterprise site including with the carrier.

4. Enterprise HLR/HSS: The invention enables the distribution of HLR/HSSsubscriber information among multiple sites within the enterprise. Forexample, the HLR/HSS information may be distributed according to thevarious PBXs in the enterprise network such that cellular information isstored at the site where the subscriber has a PBX subscription. Thelocation of this information within the enterprise can be hidden from anoutside entity such as the public carrier network such that an outsideentity need not have to know where it is stored in order to access it.Any point of entry to the enterprise network may be able to locate theinformation of a particular subscriber.

5. Data—VPN-less session setup for enterprise. The invention enables aGGSN or HA to be including in the GS in the enterprise such that asecure data session can be established automatically between a device onthe cellular network and the enterprise network by establishing a GTPtunnel between the carrier-hosted SGSN and the enterprise-hosted GGSN.In addition, in the case where there is a GS-C located in the carriernetwork that interfaces with GS-Es in the enterprise network, it ispossible for the invention to add additional security and encryptionspecific to the enterprise's needs between the carrier's network and theenterprise. In this configuration, the function of the GGSN can be splitbetween the GS-C and the GS-E such that the carrier network interfaceswith the GS-C hosted within the carrier site, while the GTP tunnel andsecure encrypted data session can be drawn out to the GS-E hosted withinthe enterprise. All data traffic to/from the mobile device will traversethe enterprise and its associated secure firewall. Billing for thewireless carrier can be supported within the carrier's network viacharging records being generated from the GS-C. Enterprise chargingrecords can equally be generated within the enterprise from the GS-E inorder to enable the enterprise to keep track of usage and be able tocompare with service bills from the carrier received at the end of abilling cycle.

6. Alternative methods for handling call originations: Using SMS andHotline for call originations: Alternative solutions can be used inplace of Intelligent Network triggers such as WIN or CAMEL forcommunicating with an SCP function in the enterprise. One technique isto use a method such as Short Message Service (SMS) to send theorigination information from a mobile to an application server in theenterprise, and then to enable a “hotline” feature in the subscriberprofile that forces the mobile to route to a specified destination nomatter what is dialed. The hotline feature is often used to route tocustomer service when a new phone is being setup. In this case thehotline feature would route all calls to a destination that wouldultimately route into the enterprise network, either using VoIP or PSTN.By sending the origination information including the originatingsubscriber number and the destination digits to the application serverin advance of the hotline call, this information can be used to identifythe incoming hotline call, and re-route it to the desired destination.In order to be able to use SMS in this manner, it may be required tohave a special client on the device that captures the digits and sendsthem in an SMS to a specific server. Alternatively this functionalitycould be built into the device natively thus not requiring a softwareclient. Note in this case that the destination SMSC may also be the GSinstead of the carrier's SMSC since it is important that thisinformation be delivered in real time, and not delayed throughstore-and-forward in the carrier's SMSC. Otherwise the routing of thecall could be delayed.

An alternative routing method does not require the hotline feature to beactivated. Instead, when the SMS message is received at the applicationserver, the application server can originate calls to the destinationand to the originator's device. The originator would answer the phoneand be connected with the second leg. If a client is on the device, theclient may automatically answer the incoming call from the applicationserver without ringing so as to appear as if the call was established bythe originator's device when the SMS was sent. Other methods other thanSMS for delivering the origination message may be used such asover-the-air messages and/or Unstructured Supplementary Service Data(USSD). Another alternative provides that originating calls are routedbased on the subscriber profile to specific routes or trunk groupswithin the MSC. The destination routes to the GS which captures theoriginal calling and called party information. The GS can analyze theroutes and re-route the call accordingly, for example into theenterprise using VoIP.

This solution also enables the GS to manipulate call legs to be able toperform handovers (or handoffs) between, for example, a wi-fi networkand a cellular network by enabling the GS to establish a new call legfor a call in progress and join or switch the failing call leg to thenew leg. Similarly this kind of call leg manipulation can be used tomaintain or reconnect a call that has been lost—for example if asubscriber enters a tunnel where there is no cellular coverage andtherefore the call leg is lost, the GS can decide to maintain the othercall leg up and potentially treat the leg by playing a message to informthe party that the call is being reconnected. The GS can then proceed tore-establish the call leg by establishing an outbound call to the deviceonce they exit the tunnel, or having the device originate a call back tothe GS if the device has a software client—and then the GS can reconnectthe legs together, or the user manually originates a call back to theGS.

7. The combining of cellular nodal functions in a single functionalentity: GMSC, GGSN, SCP, IMS SIP Application Server, Call Server. Theinvention combines the functionality of multiple cellular network nodesinto a single entity that is scaled down to support in the order ofthousands of subscribers compared with individual cellular nodessupporting millions of subscribers. The invention supports a GMSC forenabling call originations to an enterprise number to be redirected to acellular phone number and routed using least cost routing techniqueswhereby the GS discovers the location of the terminating subscriber andcan route the call to that serving MSC over alternate routes such as apublic or private VoIP network. This reduces or eliminates transportcosts to the public carrier since the call is routed over lower costroutes using VoIP, or completely outside the carrier's network. Theinterconnection to the carrier's network can be using VoIP which avoidsany PSTN interconnect charges. The SCP function enables originating andterminating calls to be routed according to instructions from theenterprise in the GS which interacts with the enterprise PBX system.Similarly this is achieved with the IMS SIP Application server functionin the case of an IMS network architecture. The Call Server enables thecarrier to route calls to and from their network using a distributedsoft-switch and media gateway architecture that enables the bearer to betransmitted over VoIP instead of traditional trunks. Thus the carriercan route calls into and out of the enterprise over VoIP therebyavoiding PSTN interconnection and associated charges. The GGSN functiononboard the GS enables the enterprise to route data sessions in asimilar manner to how the invention describes the routing of voicecalls. By including a GGSN function within the enterprise and connectedwith the cellular carrier's SGSN, a secure tunnel can be establishedbetween the carrier and the enterprise networks. Similarly this can beachieved with a Home Agent function located within the enterprise andconnected with the carrier's Foreign Agent for CDMA networks. As such,the invention:

i. Eliminates the need for VPN software to be launched on the mobiledevice

ii. Subjects the mobile device to enterprise data policy includingsecurity and firewalls no matter where the device is located, andwithout the need for user interaction—all data sessions are routedthrough the enterprise's corporate network and firewalls

iii. Enables software applications to be embedded in wireless devicesthat can be launched remotely to, for example, destroy data on thedevice should the unit be lost or stolen—e.g. Poison Pills

8. Least cost routing for mobile originations to bypass long distance incontrol of enterprise: The invention describes how to bypass longdistance for cellular subscribers for both international and nationallong distance, by routing the calls from the serving MSC into theclosest point of entry into the enterprise network. This connection canbe using traditional trunks which incur costs but is reduced since thecall may be routed from the serving MSC to a local point of attachmentto the enterprise network, or the connection can be using VoIP from thecarrier network to the enterprise, which avoids any PSTN interconnectcharges and also enables the call to be considered a local call even ifthe closest point of attachment is not local—the cost is according toVoIP tariffing which may include free nationwide as well as to Canada,western Europe and parts of Latin America.

The invention also describes the concept of Tail-End-Hop-Off (TEHO).TEHO enables an employee dialing long distance to route the call as faras possible via least cost routing, and route the last leg from theleast expensive point. For example, if an employee in the US dials alocal telephone number in London, UK, the GS could detect this anddecide to route the call from the US to the corporation's office inLondon, and from there initiate a local call to the destination. Theinvention would then enable all the legs of the call to be connectedtogether. The end-to-end call would be routed from the originator in thecellular network into the enterprise network via a local connection,across the corporation's least cost routing (possibly VoIP) network tothe London office, and connected with the local call from the Londonoffice to the final destination. The invention also stipulates that TEHOcould be disallowed based on various criteria, such as destination (e.g.if such a solution were not allowed for connecting to certaincountries), Time of Day/Day of Week or other criteria such as subscriberprofile or policies.

9. PBX feature transparency: The invention describes how to enable PBXservices from a desk phone be executed on a standard cellular phone withno special clients. The GS is configurable specific to the enterprise.Therefore the feature codes used on a deskphone in a particularenterprise can be programmed to be the same or similar on the cellularphone. The GS enables the use of “7” or “9” to be dialed in order to getan outside line, just like on a PBX. On the cellular phone, the employeewould dial 9 followed by the destination digits, followed by the TALKbutton. If the employee dials destination digits without a “7” or “9”,the GS would consider them as internal PBX digits, such as a local 4 or5-digit extension, or a 7-digit internal network destination. It ispossible for the GS to suppress the use of “7” or “9” when using acellular phone. The GS would analyze if the digits are internal orexternal and route accordingly. For example if the user dialed only 4digits, the GS would treat as an internal extension. If the user dialed10 digits, the GS would analyze the digits and if not associated with aninternal extension, would consider it an external call and add the “7”or “9” prior to routing to the PBX. By enabling the suppression of the“7” or “9” for an outside line, the invention enables the employee touse the phone numbers stored in their device as they are—withoutmodification.

An employee can select a person's name and which number they wish toconnect with (office, home, cellular) in their directory in the phoneand dial, and the GS will determine automatically if it is an externalor internal number, and route accordingly.

Advanced PBX features such as Call Forward, Call Park, Call Pickup,Conference, Transfer, Do Not Disturb, Exclusive Hold, Consultative Hold,Last Number Redial, Link, Page, etc. that are available on the deskphoneby pressing a “Feature” button followed by a code (e.g. Feature 74 toinvoke Call Park, or Feature 85 to invoke Do Not Disturb), can beexecuted in a similar manner on the cellular phone by pressing analternative button to “Feature” such as “*” or “#” followed by the samefeature code. This is completely configurable and can be changed to suitthe desire of the end user. If the user cannot recall what codes to use,the invention describes that the user can press a code such as “**”,“##” or “4HELP” (44357) which would connect the user with an InteractiveVoice Response System (IVR). The IVR would prompt the user withinformation such as “Press *74 for Call Park, Press *85 for Do NotDisturb”. The user could enter the digits at anytime and the featurewould be invoked. If the user remembers the code, they can avoid usingthe IVR on subsequent feature invocations.

The invention describes the invocation of features at the beginning of acall, and during a call. Mid-call triggers can be used by the system toinform the GS. For example if a user wishes to bridge in a third party,they could press TALK followed by the destination digits followed byTALK. A cellular system supporting mid-call triggers would send thisinformation to the GS which would originate a call to the third partyfrom the PBX, bridge the third part at the PBX, and enable the singlevoice path back to the cellular switch. The GS would respond to themidcall trigger with a message indicating to continue the call asnormal. The result is that the original two parties would be connectedwith the third party through the PBX, and not through the cellularMSC—only a single voice path connection from the cellular MSC isrequired back to the PBX. Using the same concept, it is possible to linkin multiple parties into a large conference call using the PBX andconference bridges in the enterprise, and only a single voice pathconnection to the cellular user.

If the cellular system does not support mid-call triggers, DTMF tonescan be collected on the voice path using a code receiver placed in thevoice path typically onboard a media gateway or subscribing to a mediagateway for tone detection service. If a code receiver is used, it couldbe located in the enterprise, or at the carrier. As such, the user wouldnot press the TALK button. Instead they would invoke features while in acall by pressing a designated code such as “*”, “#”, or alternatively“*” or “##” to invoke the IVR system to assist the user in invoking theservices.

10. Monitoring and controlling of calls (voice and data) from enterprisemobiles. The invention previously described how all voice calls and datasessions from the cellular network are routed through the enterprise,enabling the enterprise to control, manage, subject to policy and evenrecord the bearer information. The implications of this invention areconsistent with what are considered “best practices” among corporationsthat must comply with regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley for controlprocedures, similar to how corporations manage and control e-mailtraffic or PBX voice communications that can be tracked and recorded.

While the invention enables an enterprise to gain control of voice anddata calls, the design of invention also continues to enable federallegal requirements for monitoring calls on public cellular networks incompliance with regulations such as CALEA. Because the invention routesall calls through the serving MSC before they are routed to theenterprise, the serving MSC can still invoke wiretapping in accordancewith federal law.

Similarly the invention design fully supports emergency call handling inthat a subscriber that dials 911 will have the call immediately routedin accordance with emergency call handling procedures via the servingMSC which will override any triggers to route the call to theenterprise. As the invention uses standard cellular handsets, thereE-911 location features operate as designed. Thus the architecture ofthe invention fully complies with emergency call handling regulations.

11. Identity manipulation for outgoing and incoming calls: The inventionenables either the enterprise PBX landline phone number or the cellularphone number to be used as the single number. If the landline is used asprimary and if the cellular number is called, the call can be allowed,or the call can be diverted to a voice recording that states thelandline number to call. The call can then be routed, or it can hang upand require the originator to re-dial the new digits. Similarly this canbe done with the cellular number as primary. If the landline is primaryand the user originates a call from their cellular phone, the GS canmanipulate the outgoing callerid information to be the landline numberinstead of the cellular number. If the terminator decides to call backthe originator, they can select the callerid which will be the landlinenumber. Similarly this can be done with the cellular number as theprimary.

SMS message originations from the mobile user are triggered to the GSwhich converts the originator's cellular phone number to the landlinenumber. The SMS can then be redirected back to the MSC for sending tothe SMSC, or the GS can instruct the MSC to cancel the message, afterwhich the GS originates a new SMS directly to the SMSC containing thelandline origination number and the original destination. Similarly whenan SMS is sent to a subscriber using their landline number, the MSC willtrigger to the GS based on the terminating number. The GS will convertthe destination number from the landline to the cellular number andreturn it to the MSC for routing to the subscriber or SMSC. In this caseit may be required that the HLR be provisioned with a subscriber profilefor the landline number to trigger to the GS. In the case where the GSalso contains an SMSC on the SS7 network, the originating MSC wouldroute the SMS to the GS-SMSC which would in turn convert the landlinenumber to the cellular number and originate a new SMS to the cellularnetwork for termination.

12. Enhanced services

a. Notification of policy enforcements: The invention describes newcontrol procedures for mobile devices based on policies from theenterprise. For example, the enterprise can restrict incoming and/oroutgoing calls when an employee is outside work hours, is outside thebuilding, has badged out of the facility and/or has logged out of theirenterprise data network from their computer. Should the employee attemptto originate a call, the system can provide a dynamic treatment thatmight play a message to inform the employee of the policy that ispreventing the call from proceeding. Similarly, it is possible for anincoming call to apply a dynamic treatment that might inform the callingparty that the called party is no longer in the office, has badged outfor the evening and/or has logged out of their enterprise data networkfrom their computer. The call could then be routed to standard voicemailor other appropriate treatments.

b. Using an Application Programming Interface (API) and/or SoftwareDevelopment Kit (SDK) on the GS, applications can be written to controlvoice calls and data sessions. For example, a time clock, badgingsystem, or signaling from a computer login/logout can be used toactivate/deactivate a mobile phone. Similarly this technique can be usedto change the recording of calls to be from a corporate account to apersonal account for charging purposes. For example when an employeelogs off their computer, the cellular phone account is switched to apersonal account and phone calls may be deducted from the employee'spaycheck. In another example, the API/SDK can be used to assign aparticular cellular phone to a particular user at a particular time. Forexample, an employee may be assigned a set of equipment at the start ofa shift which might include a cellular phone. To activate the assignedcellular phone to the employee, the API/SDK can be used to associate thephone with the employee. The phone may contain the same cellular phonenumber, but the enterprise landline number would be assigned to route tothat particular cellular number for a duration of time until theemployee returns the device at the end of the shift.

13. Billing

a. Enabling carrier to store a enterprise-specific billing ID in CDR:The invention describes the assigning of a billing identifier generatedby either the GS or the cellular system that is shared between the GSand cellular network, and can be included in the Charging Data Records.The billing identifier can be used to correlate multiple generated CDRsassociated with a common event.

b. Use of Prepaid triggers to mark the start and end of calls: Theinvention describes the use of cellular Prepaid triggers to mark thestart and end of calls, even if the call is routed entirely by thecellular network. For example if user A calls user B and the GSdetermines that both users are on the same cellular carrier, and do notneed to be monitored, then the GS may instruct the MSC to proceed withrouting the call from A to B. The start and end of the call can still berecorded by the GS based on prepaid triggers.

14. IMS-Legacy Interaction

a. Policy: The invention enables the enterprise GS to apply policy rulesto the carrier PDF in order to enable target service objectives for thesubscriber for the portion of the service that is handled by the carriernetwork. Conversely the invention enables the carrier PDF to provide theGS with policy rules for the portion of the service that is handled bythe enterprise network. If the enterprise is not capable of meeting theminimum policy requirements for the session, the carrier network maytake alternative actions—e.g. route the call themselves, reject call,redirect to another service or gateway.

b. IM-SSF: The invention enables the IM-SSF function to be expandedbeyond CAMEL prepaid triggering to support legacy network interactionfor establishing legacy services such as SMS and voice calls. For voiceservices, the IM-SSF can be used by a SIP-AS to signal to an MSC or HLRby converting SIP messages into, for example, ISUP, AIN, GSM MAP orCAMEL, and/or ANSI-41 or WIN. This could be used to execute a handoffprocedure between an IP network such as VoIP with a cellular network (orvv), or to enable IMS applications to invoke legacy services such as avoice call to a device that does not have an IMS client and does notsupport VoIP.

c. CSCF: In the case that a solution supports Wi-Fi for voice calls, theGS acts as a local P-CSCF in the enterprise that interconnects with thecarrier I-CSCF and S-CSCF. The GS can also perform the functions of anI-CSCF as a peer to the carrier network for routing sessions within theenterprise, and an S-CSCF to service the device within the enterprisenetwork. For the routing of emergency calls, the GS can manage whetherthe call is sent to the landline network, in which case it would providelandline emergency location information, or to the cellular network inwhich case cellular emergency call handling would be performed includinglocation tracking. Additionally, if the device is in the enterprise andoperating on the Wi-Fi network, the GS could alternatively performcellular emergency call handling and act as a proxy for the device inorder to be able to interact with the cellular network emergency callhandling functionality. In this case the GS would support the locationinformation transactions with the cellular network by providing locationinformation of the enterprise to the cellular network. This could bestatically stored information in the GS describing the general locationof the enterprise, or specific areas within the enterprise—or could bedynamically obtained by the GS using various location techniques, forexample based on Wi-Fi location such as AP connection, and converted tocellular-recognized location information. In this manner the cellularnetwork would require no changes, while the device could be operating onan alternative network and still receive emergency service.

15. Configurations: The solution enables various configurations to bedeployed.

a. Pure enterprise call control in which the GS is located at theenterprise site. The GS interfaces with the cellular network nodessupporting SS7 and SIP or other messaging with the carrier network. Thecarrier network must be able to address the GS in order to send andreceive messages.

b. Split call control between carrier and enterprise in which the GSlocated at the enterprise interacts with a GS at the carrier. Theconnection between the GS-E and the GS-C can be SIP or other protocols.This configuration typically enables the carrier network to have acentral point of control for interacting with multiple enterprises, andmay not require the use of SS7 messaging to the enterprise—instead it ispossible to have a secure IP connection supporting SIP. This is alsouseful for offering a Centrex solution for interconnecting with acarrier-hosted PBX, or for interconnecting a carrier-hosted GS withenterprise-hosted PBX systems. The GS-C supports an SS7 point codemultiplexer in which only one or two point codes are needed to addressall enterprises, since the GS-C can identify for which enterprise themessage is intended. The GS-E is able to provision the GS-Cautomatically over the IP interface to manage subscribers, e.g. to addnew pilot DNs for new subscribers. In this case the triggers used by theoriginating and terminating triggers used in the cellular network forrouting the calls to the GS-C can add identifying information of thespecific enterprise in the triggering messages (e.g. ORREQ).Alternatively the GS-C can identify the enterprise based on the callingparty information.

16. Availability: PBX systems are by nature designed to beenterprise-grade, which implies they may go out of service morefrequently than carrier systems which must comply with strict minimumdowntime requirements. The architecture of the invention increases theeffective availability of a PBX system for routing calls since the GS(GS-E or GS-C) can instruct the cellular network to route the call (withsame or modified dialing instructions) in the event that the PBX hasgone out of service. The GS can store the call information and report itto the PBX when it is back online. In the event that the GS should goout of service, the architecture of the invention enables the cellularnetwork to be configured such that if its communication with the GStimes out, the cellular network can take alternate action, for exampleto route the call on its own, send to treatment (e.g. play a message),redirect to an alternative GS, or other call handling.

17. MVNO infrastructure: The invention is effectively a wireless corenetwork that could alternatively be packaged and sold to MVNOs to enablethem to operate their own core networks and host their own advancedservices, while connecting to public cellular carrier networks for radioaccess.

18. Call Leg Manipulation and handling—In addition to using originatingand terminating triggers to transfer call control from the carriernetwork to the enterprise via the GS, the solution also enables advancedservices to be executed mid-call using mid-call triggers or in-line codereceivers. When a user wishes to invoke a mid-call service such toinvoke a multi-party call using an external conference bridge thatresides in the enterprise network, the user can press digits on thedevice to invoke the service, and then press the TALK or SEND button toinvoke a flash. The flash message is sent to the GS using mid-calltriggers with the information of what was dialed. The GS can thenrespond to proceed with the call as normal, so that the voiceconversation can continue, and then the GS can invoke the service, inthis case to bridge in other users to the call, from the enterpriseside. Thus for a multi-party call, only one voice leg is required fromthe user to the enterprise. Alternatively to the use of mid-calltriggers, the solution can use an code receiver in the line thatcaptures DTMF tones throughout the call. In this case the user couldpress a series of digits followed by, for example, # (instead of TALK orSEND). The code receiver or media gateway can then send a message to theGS to perform the service. In this case there is no interruption in thevoice session. In this case the media gateway can block the transmissionof the tones to other parties on the call such that the other partieswill not hear them as they are being pressed. This section is inaddition to what is described in section “Alternative methods forhandling call originations”.

19. Corporate Calling Name: Calling name display is based on the carriernetwork database. This information does not contain calling nameinformation for internal enterprise numbers. The invention enables theredirection of the GR-1188 or IS41 based query in the terminating switchto point to the GS. The GS will access the calling name information fromthe corporate directory. The GS can also obtain calling name informationfrom a carrier database or other source, and decide which information(or both) to provide to the terminator depending on various factors suchas completeness, originator's preferences, etc.

20. IMS Handover/Handoff: The invention enables handoff to occur betweena voice conversation on a Wi-Fi network and a cellular network.Signaling between the Wi-Fi network and the cellular network istransited through the GS which converts the messaging between SIP callleg manipulation and ANSI-41 or GSM cellular signaling protocols forinvoking a handoff. The solution can support the equivalent of aninter-MSC handoff as is done today in the cellular network, oralternatively a Call Redirection pseudo handoff in which athrough-connected call is redirected. The latter uses messages such asSIP JOIN to connect the calls. In the case where the cellular networksupports IMS, the GS acts as a SIP AS to perform the applicationfunction, and can also act as a peer IMS network including P-CSCF,I-CSCF and S-CSCF. In this case, the GS acting in these functionsenables the PBX or IP-PBX that is controlling the user in Wi-Fi mode tobe abstracted from having to support IMS to the cellular network, as thePBX/IP-PBX interfaces with the GS which interfaces with the IMS network.

Data—VPN-less session setup for enterprise. The invention enables a GGSNor HA to be including in the GS in the enterprise such that a securedata session can be established automatically between a device on thecellular network and the enterprise network by establishing a GTP tunnelbetween the carrier-hosted SGSN and the enterprise-hosted GGSN. Inaddition, in the case where there is a GS-C located in the carriernetwork that interfaces with GS-Es in the enterprise network, it ispossible for the invention to add additional security and encryptionspecific to the enterprise's needs between the carrier's network and theenterprise. In this configuration, the function of the GGSN can be splitbetween the GS-C and the GS-E such that the carrier network interfaceswith the GS-C hosted within the carrier site, while the GTP tunnel andsecure encrypted data session can be drawn out to the GS-E hosted withinthe enterprise. All data traffic to/from the mobile device will traversethe enterprise and its associated secure firewall.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: coupling anenterprise gateway server in an enterprise network with a carriergateway server in a carrier network; receiving a request to establish adata session or call from a mobile device; querying the enterprisegateway server for a data session or call policy for a subscriberaccount associated with the mobile device; and automaticallyestablishing a secure tunnel between the enterprise gateway server andthe carrier gateway server to provide a secure data session for themobile device to communicate with at least one node on the enterprisenetwork, wherein the secure tunnel supports selectable security andencryption specific to requirements of the enterprise network.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, comprising identifying, by the carrier gatewayserver, the enterprise network, wherein identifying the enterprisenetwork comprises identifying at least one of: the enterprise networkbased on calling party information of a call; the enterprise network byinformation in at least one of an originating trigger or a terminatingtrigger; and the enterprise network based on subscription informationmaintained by the carrier network.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thesubscription information is obtained from one of a home subscriberserver and a home location register.
 4. The method of claim 1,comprising coupling the enterprise gateway server with a private branchexchange deployed in the enterprise network.
 5. The method of claim 1,comprising; notifying, by the carrier gateway server, the enterprisegateway server of the data session or call; and determining, by theenterprise gateway server, a data session or call routing for the datasession or call.
 6. The method of claim 1, comprising configuring theenterprise gateway server as an endpoint of the enterprise network. 7.The method of claim 1, comprising: receiving, by the carrier gatewayserver, an indication that the data session or call is being establishedwith the mobile device which comprises a cellular phone associated withthe enterprise network; communicating, by the carrier gateway server tothe enterprise gateway server, the indication that the data session orcall is being established ; and communicating a data session or callmuting from the enterprise gateway server to the carrier gateway server.8. The method of claim 7, comprising informing by the enterprise gatewayserver, the carrier gateway server of the data session or call routing,wherein the data session or call muting is based on at least one of: acriteria of the enterprise network; a least cost muting determined bythe enterprise gateway server, and a selectable security and encryptionrouting determined by the enterprise gateway server.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the data session or call muting specifies one ofrouting the data session or call within the carrier network or mutingthe data session or call into the enterprise network.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, comprising determining, by the carrier gateway server, whetherto notify the enterprise gateway server of the data session or callbased on information stored in at least one of: a subscriber profilemaintained in the carrier network; and an application server maintainedin the carrier network.
 11. The method of claim 1, comprisingdetermining, by the carrier gateway server based on information storedwithin the carrier network, whether to route the data session or callbased on policies set by the carrier network.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the policies specify at least one of a rule to enable thedata session or call to be routed based on service subscriptioninformation, a rule to enable the data session or call to be routedusing specific resources, a rule to enable the data session or call atspecific times, a rule to enable the data session or call to be routedbased on specific congestion levels, a rule to enable the data sessionor call based on identification information of a called or callingparty, a rule to enable the data session or call based on locationinformation of the called or calling party, a rule that specifiestriggers, and a rule that specifies it is required to record the datasession or call.
 13. The method of claim 1, comprising determining, bythe enterprise gateway server, whether to route the data session or callover dedicated resources based on information stored within theenterprise network.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the dedicatedresources comprise at least one of resources to enable least-costrouting, resources to enable security, resources to enable highperformance, resources to address congestion levels, resources to enablepriority access and high availability, and resources to enable access tospecific enterprise features.
 15. The method of claim 1, comprisingdetermining, by the enterprise gateway server based on informationstored within the enterprise network, whether to route the data sessionor call based on policies set by the enterprise network.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein the policies specify at least one of a rule toenable the data session or call to be routed using specific resources, arule to enable the data session or call at specific times, a rule toenable the data session or call based on identification information of acalled or calling party, a rule to enable the data session or call basedon location information of the called or calling party, a rule thatspecifies triggers, and a rule that specifies it is required to recordthe data session or call.
 17. The method of claim 1, comprisingdetermining, by the enterprise gateway server based on informationstored within the enterprise network, whether to route the data sessionor call based on policies set by a called or calling party of the call.18. The method of claim 17, wherein the policies comprise at least oneof a rule to enable the data session or call to be routed using specificresources, a rule to enable the data session or call to be routed atspecific times, a rule based on identification information of a calledor calling party, a rule to enable the data session or call based onlocation information of the called or calling party, a rule thatspecifies triggers, and a rule that specifies it is required to recordthe data session or call.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium comprising instructions that when executed causes a processor toperform: coupling an enterprise gateway server in an enterprise networkwith a carrier gateway server in a carrier network; receiving a requestto establish a data session or call from a mobile device; querying theenterprise gateway server for a mobile origination policy for asubscriber account associated with the mobile device; and automaticallyestablishing a secure tunnel between the enterprise gateway server andthe carrier gateway server to provide a secure data session for themobile device to communicate with at least one node on the enterprisenetwork, wherein the secure tunnel supports selectable security andencryption specific to requirements of the enterprise network.
 20. Asystem, comprising: a cellular network including a carrier gatewayserver, and an enterprise network including an enterprise gateway servercoupled with the carrier gateway server, which is configured to receivea request to establish a data session or call from a mobile device, andwherein the enterprise gateway server is configured to query for a datasession or call policy for a subscriber account associated with themobile device, and wherein a secure tunnel is automatically establishedbetween the enterprise gateway server and the carrier gateway server toprovide a secure data session for the mobile device to communicate withat least one node on the enterprise network, and wherein the securetunnel supports selectable security and encryption specific torequirements of the enterprise network.